Vending-machine



L. M. PARKHURST.

VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION mm um 31. 90a. RENEWED JULY 23,1915.

1,383,996. patented ly 5, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

RQTAIL STAMP STATIO L. M. PARKHURST.

VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED IAR- 3]1908- RENEWED JULY 23.1915.

1,383,996. Patented July 5, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

L. M. PARKHURST.

VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED um. 31. 190B. RENEWED JULY 23.1915

Pamnted July 5, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

nun/"111111111111" UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LAYTON M. PARKHURST, OF INDIANAPOLIS. INDIANA. ASSIGNOR. BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO GEORGE B. PITTS, TRUSTEE. OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

VENDING-MACHINE.

7 0 all whom. it may concern Be it known that T, LAY'ION M. PARK- IIURST, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vending- Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in vending machines, more particularly to machines for vending postage stamps, or the like.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a vending machine having one or more vending and money collectin units or sections, each including a lock x or substantial safety deposit box, whereb the maintenance of a large number 0 the vending machines may be intrusted to the care of one party or a central oflice, to whom or to which the vending and collecting units are at intervals returned and from which they are from time to time distributed, it being the intention that when one unit is removed from a machine for any purpose, it shall be replaced by another one.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a vending machine means for guiding and controlling the movement of a disk or series of disks through a slot, whereb the actuator for the machine will be positively operated for each disk or series of disks.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a vending machine improved means for operating the lock and release devices for the machine, whereby the actuator will be positively operated.

Another object of my invention is to provide a vending machine having but few parts of simple construction, compactly arranged and readily assembled or disassembled, and which are substantially positive in action and not readily gotten out of adjustment.

Other objects of my invention will be obvious from a machine shown in the drawings and hereinafter described for the purpose of illustration.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus embod ing my invention, illustrating the remova of one complete vending and money-receiving unit.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Serial No. 41,617.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a machine embodying my improvements.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of one of the vending mechanisms, detached. Fig. is a front view of one of the Vending sections.

Fig. 6 is an opposite side view of a vending section to the side view shown in Fig. 4. 7 is a section on the line 7--7, Fig. 2. F g. 8 is a section on the line 8--8, Fig. 5. Fig. 9 is a se tion on the line 9-9, Fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a section on the line 1010, Fig. 6.

Fig. 11 is a section on the line 11-11, Fi 8.

Fig. 12 is a section on the line 12-12, Fig. 6.

Fig. 13 is a section on the line 13-13, Fig. 6.

Fig. 14 is a section on the line 1414, Fig. 6.

ing or casing adapted to receive one or more combined stamp vending and money collecting units 2. For illustration I have shown a casing 1 adapted to receive three of the said units 2. The casing or housing consists preferably of a bottom wall 3, side walls 4, 5, a top wall 6, a front wall 7, and a rear wall or door 8, suitably hinged at 8' to the side wall 5 or otherwise arranged to permit easy access to the interior of the easing, when desired. Within the casing, the detachable unit sections 2 are arranged side by side, each unit being intended to carry and vend a given number of stamps of one denomination. say one thousand. That is, the first unit on the left, as illustrated in Fig. 2, may be designed for vending one cent stamps, the next unit for vending two cent stamps, and the third for vending five cent stamps, it being understood that the construction and arrangement of each unit section is readily adaptable for vending a stamp of any denomination.

9, 10, are guides and spacing bars secured Patented July 5, 1921.

Application filed March 31, 1908, Serial No. 424,304. Renewed July 23, 1915.

to the bottom wall 3 of the casing, and 11 and 12 are guides and spacing bars, the former secured to the side wall 4, and the latter to the side wall 5 of the casing. The purpose of these guides and spacing bars is to properly position the vending and moneyreceiving units relative to each other within the housing or casing 1.

Each unit 2 includes a box or casing 14, preferably made of metal and rectangular in form. This box or case has side walls 15, 15, a front wall 16, top and bottom. walls 17, 18, and a detachable rear wall 19. The detachable rear wall 19 may be fitted to the side walls in any suitable manner. For

. illustration 1 have shown the side walls carrying at their rear edges outwardly extend- 111g transverse ribs 15*. At each side the rear wall 19 is flanged, as indicated at 19', and longitudinally grooved at 19 to receive one of the ribs '15 on a side wall. At its upper end the rearwall 19 carries an inwardly turned lip 19 arranged to overlap the top wall 17 of the box. The bottom wall 11Smay be extended rearwardly at 18', beyond the side walls, and the rear wall 19 is recessed at 19 to fit over the said extension 18. A suitable lock 20 is employed for locking the detachable wall of the box in position.

The inside of each safety box 14 is divided into an upper and a lower compartment by means of a slide or platform 21 supported by inwardly turned ribs 22, 22', on the side walls of the box. The lower one of these compartments is a cash box. The upper compartment is subdivided into two parts bya vertically disposed partition 23, preferably carried by the platform 21. Upon one side of this partition 23 is arranged the stamp feed mechanism of the unit, and upon the other side the coin controlled mechanism for actuating the stamp feed mechanism.

Of the stamp feed mechanism, 24 is a stamp box secured to or formed integral with the partition 23 and extending at one side thereof. 25 is an arbor or shaft, preferably stationary, upon which may be mounted a roll 26 of postage stamps. 27 is a guard plate axially recessed at 27 and fitted loosely upon the arbor 25. 28 is a stamp strip guide carried by the guard plate 27. This guide preferably consists of two pins 28, 28 extending inwardly from the guard plate 27 and arranged to have directed between them the strip of stamps fed from the roll of stamps 26 within the box. 29 is a transverse slot through the top of the box 24, through which the stamp strip isled. As the guard plate 27 is loose upon the shaft 25, the guide 28 is free to play back and forth slightly within the box 24 and readily accommodate itself to the stamp strip so as to prevent the stamp strip engagmg with and rubbing and wearing against one of the edges of the walls of the slot 29. 30 is a cover or end plate for the stamp box fitted on to the screw threaded end of the shaft 25.

31 is a delivery member or cylinder. The cylinder may be provided with an end wall. 32 is a shaft or stud extending laterally from the end wall of the cylinder, preferably formed integral therewith, and mounted in a bearing in the partition 23. This bearing is formed through the partition 23 and an annular boss 31' thereon, which latter is fitted into an annular recess 31" in the stamp cylinder. 34, 35, 36 are peripheral grooves in the said stamp cylinder which at each side is slightly flanged as indicated at 37. At regular intervals these flanges are notched or recessed, as indicated at 38, the notches being spaced apart on the said flanges the distance occupied by one of the stamps to be vended on the periphery of the stamp cylinder. Across the periphery of the stamp cyliiider are arranged. lines of strip piercers or perforating points 39, each line adjacent to a pair of notches which are opposite to each other on the stamp cylinder. These lines of perforating points 39 are, likewise, spaced apart on the periphery of the stamp cylinder the distance occupied by one stamp on the periphery of the cylinder.

40 are pressure rolls for laying the strips of stamps evenly over the periphery of the stamp cylinder and. between the flanges 37 thereon, and also for pressing. the stamp strips over the perforating points so as to cause the latter to pierce the strip. Each of these pressure rolls 40 is loosely mounted on a transverse shaft 41 carried by a frame 42. This frame 42 normally pressed upwardly so as to force the pressure rolls against the periphery of the stamp cylinder by means of a flat spring .3, one end of which is secured to the bearing plate 42 and the other to :1. lug or projection 44 carried by the partition 23. Each pressure roller 41) has a peripheral groove 40 adapted to receive, one after the other, as the stamp cylinder rotated step by step, the perforating points on the periphery of the stamp cylinder which are in the same vertical plane with the groove 40. 45 is a guard plate extendimg about the circumference of the stamp cylinder at the top thereof. At its lower front end this guard plate carries a strip cutting or severing knife 46, which may be former. into al with the guard plate, if desired. At either side, this knife 46 is adapted to enter one of the recesses 38 in the flanges 37 on the stamp cylinder. 47 is a spring secured at one end to the guard plate 45. and at its other end to a lug or pro jection 48 on the partition 23, this spring tending normally'to press the guard plate downwardly against the flanges on the stamp cylinder. Beneath the guard plate 45 is arranged a supplemental spring guard 49 having spring members 49, each arranged in the vertical plane of one of the peripheral grooves 34, 35, 36 on the stamp cylinder and adapted to maintain the stamp strip pressed firmly against the periphery of the stamp cylinder. These spring fingers 49' are connected at their lower ends to a guard late 49 interposed between the end 45' o the guard 45 and the pressure rollers 40. This plate 49 rests lightly at either side upon the flanges 37 on the stamp cylinder, and prevents the stamp strip 26 from riding up on either of said flanges and getting out of proper adjustment. The guard 45 prevents the spring fingers 49' from getting out of position.

50 is a deflecting plate for directing the stamps away from the stamp cvlinder 31 and out of the unit 2 which carries them. It preferably consists of a iece of spring metal having a plurality of ngers 50', each arranged to enter one of the peripheral grooves 34, 35, 36 in the stamp cylinder, so that the free ends of these fingers will be beneath the free end of the stamp strip as the latter is rotated on and fed forward with the stamp cylinder. 51 is a transverse lug or extension carried by the platform 23 and to which the said stamp deflecting plate 50 is secured.

As hereinbefore stated, the coin controlled mechanism is arranged on the opposite side of the partition 23 from the stamp feeding mechanism. It comprises a locking cam 52 the periphery of which has a plurality of identically similar cam surfaces 53, equal in number to the number of stamp receiving sections on the stamp cylinder 31 and correspondingly positioned relative to the axis of the shaft 32. This cam wheel 52 is fitted, in any suitable manner, to the shaft 32 to turn therewith. At the bottom of each of the recesses 53 is a notch 54 adapted to receive the free end of a locking dog 55 on a release rod 56. This release rod 56 is pivotally connected at its lower end to the partition 23, as indi ated 'at 56'. 57 is a spring secured at 57' to the partition 23 and having its free end bearing against the release rod 56 and normally pressing its end carrying the dog 55 toward the locking cam 52.

58 is a ratchet drive wheel suitably secured to the shaft 32 to turn therewith. Its periphery is studded with a plurality of teeth 59, equal in number to the number of locking recesses 54 on the locking cam 52, and each tooth 59 arranged to correspond with one of the said locking recesses on the locking cam.

60 is a bearing and guide bracket secured at 61 to the partition 23 and having a bearing opening at 62 for the shaft 32, and a vertically disposed guideway at 63. 64 is a main operating rod having its upper end fitted to and guided by the guide 63 on the bracket arm 60, and its lower end extending through a hole ill in the platform or division plate 21. This operating rod carries a laterally ploiccting arm 65, preferably hii'urc'ated to receive the lower end of a driving pawl 66. the upper end of which is toothed at 66 to engage with the teeth 59 on the ratchet 58, one after the other. driving pawl 66 is pivotally connected at 66" to the arm 65. 67 is a spring secured at 67 to the rod 64 and having its upper end nor mally pressing outwardly on the lower end 66* of the oscillatable pawl 66, so as to normally press the tooth 66 toward the ratchet wheel 53. The innermost section 65 of the lateral arm 65 on the main operating rod 64 carries a slide 68 arranged to bear at its inner edge against the partition 23 and to keep the upper end of the rod 64 suitably spaced from the ratchet wheel 58. 69 and 70 are lateral extensions carried by the rod 64, each of them being preferably bifurcated to receive the reduced end of one of the oscillatable links 71, 72. each of which is pivoted to one of said extensions. Each of these links 71, 72 has its upper end reduced in thickness. as indicated at 71, 72, and fitted to oscillate in a slot in one of the slotted arms 73, 74 carried by the main operating rod 64. 75 is a coil spring preferably surrounding the rod 64 between the lateral projections 69. 70 thereon and the division plate 21. and tending to normally press the rod 64 upwardly, as indicated in Fig. 4. 76 is a. plate, grooved as indicated at 77, to form with the partition 23 a coin passageway 78. the upper end of which terminates in a coin-receiving slot 78', and the lower end of which registers with a coin(lischarge slot 79 in the division plate 21. 80 and 81 are slots formed in the plate 76 and each adapted to receive one of the pins or projections 82, 83 which extend inwardly from the links 71, 72, respectively. The slots 80 and 81 are so shaped that, as the main operating rod 64 is de iressed. the walls of the slots first guide the pins 82. 83 on the links 71. 72, toward the longitudinal axis of the rod 64, thereby simultaneously drawing together the upper ends of the links, as shown in Fig. 16, and then vertically downward, tending to maintain the links 71, 72 with their upper ends adjacent to the rod 64 and with the pins 82, 83 in the coin passageway 78. actuated element adapted to throw the release rod 56 and the locking pawl 55 thereon, away from the locking cam 52. I prefer to have this release rod-actuating element 84 an anti-friction roller. This roller 84 has an axial aperture 84. 85 is a pin extending through the aperture 84 into the metal of the partition 23 and the coin guide plate 76 at either side of the roller. The metal of the coin guide is recessed at 86 to permit the The 84 is a coinroller 84 to be projected through the recess 86 and have its periphery engage with the front wall of the release bar 56. The diameter of the pin is considerably less than the diameter of the aperture 8 1 through the anti-friction roller 8 1, so as to permit lateral motion of the roller relative to the said pin, while at the same time retaining the roller in the recess 86. Suitable operating mechanism should be provided within the casing 1 for actuating, that is, depressing, the main operating rod 64:. For illustration I have shown such mechanism adapted to be actuatcd by h a nd although it will be understood that, if desired, automatic power mechanism may be employed. S7 is a bracket secured to the top 6 of the casing 1. 88 is a lever pivoted a.) 88 to the said bracket 87 and having an operating handle 88 which pro jects out oi tie case through av vertical slot 89 in the front wall thereof. 90 is a rod pivotally connected at 90 to the lever 88. This rod extends through a hole 91 in the top oi the box or case beneath the lever 88. The upper end of the operating rod 64: may be pointed, as indicated at 90, and the lower end of: the rod 90 may be recessed, as indicated at 90 to receive the pointed ends of the operating rod ('34. As shown in the drawings, the casing or housing 1 carries as many hand operating devices, such as the one just described, as there are units in the case,0ne for each unit.

I have found it desirable to provide each unit or section 2 with an automatically actuated safety attachment for preventing the introduction into the coin passageway 78 of a coin or coins aiter the unit is practically exhausted oi stamps. or when the stamp strip breaks between the snmp box 2 1 and the stamp cylinder 81. Oi? this safety attachment, 91 is a b acket carried by the partition 23. 92 is a bell crank lever pivotally connected at 92 to an arm on the said bracket. 93 is a stop rod pivotally connected at 9 3 to one arm of the hell crank lever 92, and having its other end extending through a hole 93 in the partition 23, and arranged to be projected into and withdrawn from the coin passageway 78 at the entrance thereto. 94!; is a rod pivotally connected at 94- to the other arm of the bell crank lever 92, extending through a. passageway 9%. in the bracket 91, and having secured to its free end a bearing block 95 carrying a pivotally mounted anti-tfriction roller 96. 97 is a coil. spring encircling the rod 9 1-, interposed between the bracl-ret 91 and the bearing frame 95 and adapted to normally force the rod 94 rearwardly so as to project the rod 93 across the coin passage way 78. 98 is a bracket secured to the stamp box 24: and having an upwardly extending wall 98 with a hole 98 therethrough in line with the anti-friction roller 96, and through which the latter may be projected. Normally, when the unit in readiness for operation and the stamp strip extends from the stamp box 2-1 to the stamp cylindn' 31, the roller 96 rests relatively lightly against the said strip. Should the end of the stamp strip pass the said roller, or the strip be severed between the stamp box and the stamp cylinder, or the strip in any wise be removed from between the said roller and the slot 98* in the bracket 98, the spring 97 will to co the rod 9i iea-rwardly, the roller 90 entering the slot 98, and the bell crank lever 92 will be rocked so as to project the rod 92-) across the mouth oi. the coin passageway 78.

lhe front wall 16 of each. unit 2 is slotted at 99 to re 'istei with coin slot 78' of the coin actuated inc iisin within. the unit. and cut away at 19.) to allow for the dc from the unit or the stamps. The front wall '7 oi. the casing 1 is provided with as m5 7 openings 191 through. it as there are units 2 or spaces for them within the casing. Each oi: these openings 101 is pref erably arranged to expose hoth the coin slot 99'and the stamp delivery opening 109 of a unit.

lnoperatien, a roll of: stamps 26 is placed upon the arbor l the outer end of the strip oi. stamps is dir cted upwardly and out through the slot 29 in the top of the stamp box, and between the stamp cylinder 31 and the presser rolls 44.9. The guard plate 27 is placed in position with the stamp ip leading between the guides 28, 28 on the guard plate, and the cover 39 of the stamp box is then placed in p05: ion. In directing the stamp strip onto the stamp cylinder and between it and the pressure rollers 10, care should be taken to have the perforating points on the stamp-cylinder, which are projected into the grooves 10 on the pressure rollers 40. pierce the stamp strip on the transverse line of eoiniection between two stamps of the strip. The release rod 56 may be then thrown as to withdraw the locking pawl from the periphery of the locking cam 52, and the stamp cylinder may be rotated until the tree edge the first stamp'ot the strip appears at the cutting knife 46. The machine is then ready for operation and may be inserted into its box or case and the latter placed in its proper position in the casing or housing- 1.

Assuming that the apparatus is adapted to deliver a, two cent stamp upon the introduction through the coin slot of two pennies, the lower penny of the two will engage with the periphery of the roller 84 which extends into the coin passage 78, and the further descent of the penny through the coin passageway will be arrested. The descent of the second penny through the coin passage in the stamp box 2 1 and way will be stopped by its engagement with the first penny. Having introduced the two pennies, the operator presses downwardly on the operating handle 8, and through the thrust rod 90 imparts a downward motion to the main operating rod 64; as this rod (34; is depressed, the walls of the grooves 80 and 8] direct inwardly the pins 82 and 83 on the links 71, '72. respectively, until they are at points above and engage with the periphery of the uppermost penny in the coin passageway T8. The further downward movement of the rod 64 and links 71, 72 causes the periphery of the lower penny to press outwardly and away from the coin passageway the release rod-actuating roller 84. simultaneously throu h the said roller imparting an outward throw to the release rod 56, which continues until the locking dog 55 is out of engagement with the walls of the last locking recess 54 on the locking cam 52 which it entered. The feed pawl 66 now enga es a ratchet tooth 59 on the ratchet whee 58 and pulls downwardly thereon, imparting a rotary movement to the ratchet wheel, the locking cam, and the stamp cylinder. The two pennies drop through the slot 79 into the cash box, and the locking dog 55 rides around on one of the cam surfaces 53 on the cam wheel 52 until it drops into the cam recess 54 at the end of said section, thereby again locking the ratchet wheel from further rotation, the release rod simultaneously pressing the roller 84 through the slot 86 until its periphery again projects into the coin passageway 78. The rotation of the ratchet wheel 58 at each step is calculated to impart a rotary motion to the shaft 32 which will turn the stamp cylinder 31 angularly a distance to deliver one stamp through the stamp discharge opening 100.

When it is desired that but a single coin shall operate the apparatus, the vertical distance between the release rod-operating element 84 and the pins 82, 83 on the links 71, 72 is shortened. This I have illustrated in Fig. 9. WVith the parts thus correlated, a single coin when introdwed into the coin passageway 78 has its desuent therethrough arrested by engagement with the roller 8%. When the operating rod is now depressed, the pins 82, 83 engage with the periphery of the single coin and force the coin downwardly through the coin passageway, at the same time expelling the roller 84 therefrom and causing the release of the dog 55 from the locking cam 52.

A machine ronstructed. in accordance with my improvements is capable of construction so as to preclude its operation with other than accurately shaped and sized coins or disks. The coin slot 78' for each unit may be accurately dimensioned so as not to permit the introduction of coins or disks above a certain thickness and diameter. The

rollers 84 may be constructed and mounted relative to the release bar 56 so as to require to be pressed outward a predetermined distancc before it will move the free end of the release rod a sufiicient distance to withdraw the dog 55 from a cam locking cam recess 54 and permit the rotation of the locking cam 52 and the delivery of a stamp. 1f the disks with which it is attempted to operate the machine are too small in diameter, the release element 84 will not receive suflicient throw to actuate the release rod 56 and withdraw the dog 55 from a locking cam recess 54.

My invention contemplates the desirability of vending stamps from what maybe considered safety deposit boxes, each of whichboxes or units is readily removable from the main vending case when the stamps in it are eX- hausted, or for any other purpose; it being the intention that such unit be returned to a central station. office or party to be held responsible. not only for the loading of the units with stamps, but also for the care of the funds or money collected in the units. This system. it will be understood, possesses the great advantage of placing all of the responsibility for the distribution of stamps through the machines and the care of the money taken in return, upon a single individual or central station. The many advantages of such a system will be readily appreiated where lar, ;e installations of the machines are made and have to be maintained. Take for example. the use of the machines in connection with a post oliice department in a large city. The handling of great numbers of stamps is necesitated. and with all the earlier stamp vending machines of which I am aware, the stamps must be intrusted to some party to be distributed to the machines by actually taking the stamps in rolls of sheets to and putting them in the machines. Also the moneys collected by the machines are taken from boxes or receptacles in the ma hincs by a trusted party for return to the post office department. With my apparatus it is intended that one party or division shall be made responsible for both the filling of the vending and collecting units with stamps, and the re moval and care of the money collected in each unit. All this may be accomplished at a central point, the units-substantially safety deposit boxesbeing collected from the various vending cases from time to time and brought to the central point for removal of moneycolle 'ted and refilling with stamps.v The keys for th unit sections may all be retained in the possession of the division or party having charge of this work. By thus making one person or division responsible for the maintenance of the machines, the chances of loss of money and stamps is very greatly minimized over those incident to the earlier systems, in which the stamps in rolls or sheets have be taken to the vending machines, and loose money taken from the machines. The responsibility placed on the care takers oi the vending casings or housings and the (listriluiters and. collectors of the units is reduced to substantially nothing more than the mere handling of the units or safety deposit boxes themselves. These distributors and collectors never have to touch the stamps or the money collected in the machines; in fact, they could not do so Without breaking open the units, which would be a criminal offense.

It will be understood that by a ation of the size of the coin passageway and incident variation necessitated in size of correlated )ai'ts, units may be constructed for operations with coins different values and sizes. In the drawings, for purposes of illustration, the three units shown are intended vending; one, two, and live cent stan' ps, respectively, as hereinbeitore stated.

The coin-actuated and stamp teed nmch anism is confined in a relatively smallspace and consists of a small number of parts, all of which is quite essential .t an a} paratus intended to be operated as mine is, namely, that the units from time to time be removed and replaced by others, While the removed ones are being e nptied oi. money and refilled with stamps. All'parts oi the macaine are readily accessible and may be quickly and easily assembled.

The coin passage in each machine may be filled up with coins, it desird by the on,

and then the open ting handle 9-9,

. the number of? times which the co ns odnz'cd wi l buy stamps the den -.'li-- on desired. This may be done all utdanger 05 more than the rcquisit ol coins being); deposited nto the cash he";

' the unit at one op ration t the hr.

the pins 8?). Fter'e d l e g3, downward a coin or a plurality o event any coins ah n the cold passageuuty from them, until. after tl'iev have heeu .s 'aii wa ed and the stamp cylinder ie-sct.

' My disclosures and dessriptii'm herein a e intended to he purely illustrative iiufl not in any sense lin'i'iti many a rations in the C(EJIStl'llCtlifl] a id man z-ipparontlv widely dii'l eii g embodiments of my invention will suggest themselves to thos e skilled in the art of making coin controlledv apparatus Without departing from the SD ii'iiL Uf .i'iy in venti on ii i Furthermore, While l have herein referred to my invention more particular for the purpose of vending: sta he nnd stood that it is equally i adaptable "for the purpose mti n.1,; tickets. or the like. 'In fact, a nachnie cmbodviuir my invention may be advantageously ent ,tially simultaneously The combination of a support having a coin e, a movable memoer, means to locking); said member against movement. a movable device normally projecting into the coin chute and serving as an arrcster therein for a, coin, said device having operative en gagg'enicnt with and bodily movable laterally to actuate said leak ngmeans, and mans for moving a coin past said device.

The combination oi? a loci-1mg mechanism having a dog, a iiOil chute formed with an opening at one side, a coin arresting device arranged to engage W th said dog, normally progcctine through the opening into the coin chuti and bodily movable laterally to operate paid dog} and means "for moving the coin past said. arresting device.

In me-hanism of the class described, the con'ibination oi; a lfl jli'lllg. mechanism having! a. doll, a coin chute, a disk normally p"- e ting into the path of a coin througl said chute and in vine oymmtive engagenu with said doe, said disk being rotatable am. laterally movable, and means for mtwingy'the coin st said disk i 4-. in a coin controlled apparatus. the co2n-.- bination of movable member, a device arcoin wmtrelled mechanism for op n1: said device, comprising a coin guide, a co stop inev the path lo into and out of mo -wine of the o n throi i said s ide and, ed to open. r-l: and re lease ice, and. means Lori-inn the oin past i sto to expel the coin "from said man and ubstantially simultaneously resaid oz'lring device and operate said meml; er.

5. in a mechanism oi. the diameter des ribed, the combination. of a casing including a coin guide. a movable control member, a dog 'l'or locking and releasing said con--' trol member, a laterally movable, rotatably niormtcd .elen'icnt normally projecting into cod to lock and release said. meml e a the path. of the coins through said guide for arrestin coins therein and arranged to operate said dog and means for moving said coins past said arrestingelement, suhst-anQ :nzpellingsaid coin, re-

leasing said dog and operating said vcontrol member.

6. In. a com controlled machine, the com bination with a casing and a coin chute, of a control member, an operating member, a pawl connected to said operating member for operating said control member, means for locking said control member against movement, a coin arrester arranged in the path of movement of the coin through said chute and having engagement with said lo 10 ing means. said arrester being bodily movable laterally by the coin to release the locking means from said control member, and means actuated by said operating member and operating through a :oin arrested by said arrester to move the latter.

7. In a coin controlled machine, the combination of a casing including a coin guide, a cam provided with a plurality of notches, a dogengaging with said notches for controlling the operation of the cam, a coin arresting device projecting into the coin guide, said device being operatively connected with and bodily movable laterally, to operate said dog, an operating member, connections between said operating member and said cam for operating the latter upon the release of the dog therefrom, and a device arranged to be moved by said operating member to force a coin past the said arresting device, move the latter laterally and operate said dog.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a pair of ratchet wheels rigidly secured together, a dog normally arranged to engage with one of said ratchet wheels and lock it against rotation, a movable member provided with a pawl arranged to engage and operate the other ratchet wheel during movement of said memher in one direction, a coin guide, a coin stop movably mounted in said coin guide and arranged to operate the said dog, and means operatedby said movable member and arranged to engage with a coin introduced in the coin guide for forcing the coin past said stop, move the latter laterally and disengage the said dog from the adjacent ratchet wheel.

9. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination of a lock mechanism, a movable member, a coin chute, an arrester arranged intermediate the ends of the chute for arresting a coin, an operating member, a coin engaging device connected to said operating member and normally arranged out of the path of the coin through said chute, means for moving said coin engaging device into position to engage said coin as said operating member is operated and move it past said arrester and through the latter re lease said lock mechanism, and means connected to said moving means for operating said movable member.

10. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a coin chute, an arrester arranged intermediate the ends of the chute for arresting a coin, an operating member. a coin engaging device pivotally connected to said member and normally arranged out of the path of the coin through said chute, and means for moving said coin engaging devi e into position to engage said coin as said member is operated and move it past said arr-ester.

11. The combination of a coin chute, a device extending into the chute intermediate its ends and movable by a coin to actuate a locking mechanism, a member disposed at one side of said chute between its coin receiving end and said device for moving a coin into engagement with and past said device, means for directing said coin moving member into engagement with a coin in said chute, and means for moving said coin moving member endwise of the chute after it has engaged a coin therein.

12. In mechanism of the class described. the combination of a coin chute, locking means including a dog, a device extending into said chute and arranged to be actuated by a coin to release said dog from said locking means, and a coin engaging member normally disposed at one side of said chute and movable in the plane of a coin at an angle to the coin chute into engagement with the coin and then longitudinally of the chute to force the coin therethrough past said dog actuating device.

13. In a coin controlled machine, the combination of a casing including a coin guide, a cam provided with a plurality of notches, a dog engaging the said notches for controlling the operation of the cam, a coin arresting device projecting into the coin guide and arranged to operate said dog, an operating member, ratchet mechanism between said operating member and said cam for operating the latter upon the release of the dog therefrom, a coin engaging device movable with said operating member. said device being normally arranged out of the path of the min, and means for controlling the operation of said device to cause it to move into engagement with a coin when said operating member is actuated.

14. The combination of a support having a coin chute, a movable member, means for locking said member against movement, a movable device normally projecting into the coin chute and serving as an arrester therein for a coin, said device being in operative en gagement with said locking means, whereby it will be moved by a coin to release the locking means from the movable member, and means for moving a coin past said device to actuate said locking means, said coin moving means including a movable element normally arranged out of the path of movement of the coin and means for moving said element into position for engagement with the coin.

15. In a coin controlled machine, the combination of a casing including a coin guide, a cam provided with a plurality of notches, a dog engaging with said notches for controlling the operation or the cam, a coin ar resting device projecting into the coin guide and arranged to be actuated by a coin to operate said dog, an operating member, connections between said operating member and said cam for operating the latter upon the release of the dog therefrom, and a device connected to and movable with said operating member, said device being normally arranged out of the path of the coin but movable into engagement with a coin as said operating member moves to force the coin past said arresting device, and through the latter operate said dog; 7

16. In a -maehine of the character described, the combination of a movable memher, a coin controlled mechanism for controlling the movement of said member, the said mechanism comprising a rotatable disk, a dog arranged to engage with and lock and release said disk, a coin guide, a combined coin stop and dog operating element movable into and out of the path of movement of the coin through said guide and arranged to operate said dog, means arranged to enter said guide to engage with the periphery of the coin therein to move said coin through said guide past said element and substantially simultaneously expel said coin and operate said dog, and a pawl operated by said coin moving means for operating said mov- V v able member upon the release of sald dog from said disk;

17. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of locking means, a com chute, a device in said chute arranged to be actuated by a coin to release said locking means, and a pair of members for moving a coin in said chute past said device, said members being normally disposed at opposite sides of said chute but arranged to be moved toward each other for engagement with and operation of the coin.

18. In a coin controlled machine, the combination of locking means, and coin c011- trolle-d mechanism for releasing the said locking means including a coinguide having a passageway for coins therethrough and cam slots for directing coin engaging pins combination of locking means, and coin con trolled mechanism for releasing said locking means, including a coin guide having a coin passageway therethrough and a cam slot through one wall of said guide arranged to direct a coin engaging pin into and out of the coin passageway, a reciprocatable rod, a link pivot-ally connected at one end to said rod, a coin engaging pin at the free end of said link and arranged in said cam slot in the coin guide, a coin lock releasing ele' ment arranged to be moved into and out of the coin passageway in said guide, and means for reciprocating said rod.

20. The combination of a support having a coin chute, a movable member, means for locking said movable member, a devlce extending into said coin chute and arranged to be operated by a coin to release the locking element of said locking means, and means for moving a coin past said device to operate it, said moving means including a plunger, a link pivotally connected thereto and carrying a coin engaging member normally arranged out of the path of the coin through said chute and means for swinging said link about its pivot to cause said coin engaging member to engage the coin in the chute.

21. The combination of a support having a coin chute, a movable member, means for locking said movable member, a coin arrester in said coin chute arranged to be operated by a coin to release the locking element of said locking means, and means for moving a coin past said arrester to operate it, said moving means including a plunger, a link pivotally connected thereto and carrying a coin engaging member normally arranged out of the path of the coin through said chute and a guide for swingingsaid link about its ,pivot to cause said coin engaging member to engage the coin in the chute.

22. In an apparatus of the character de- I scribed, the combination of a casing having a wall, movable to permit access to the interior thereof and a series of units each comprising a box having a wall movable to permit access to the interior thereof and arranged to be locked, and a coin control mechanism mounted in each unit, including an operating member, and means carried by the casing for operating each operating member separately.

' 23. In a vending machine,the combination of acasing, lock boxes removably mounted within said casing, coin controlled mechanism arranged in each one of said lock boxes, and means carried by said casing for actuating the coin controlled mechanism in each of said lock boxes.

24:. In a vending machine, the combina tion of a casing, lock boxes arranged within'and readily removable from said casing, each lock box comprising two compartments, one of which is a money-receiving compartment, coin controlled mechanism arranged in the other one of said compartments, and means arranged in said casing for operating the coin controlled mechanism in each of said lock boxes.

25. In a vending machine, the combination of a casing, a plurality of vending and money collecting units arranged within the said casing, each of said units comprising a lock box, and coin controlled mechanism arranged within said box, and means carried by said casing for operatin the coin controlled mechanism in each 0 said units.

26. In a vending machine, the combination of a casing, a plurality of units arranged within said casing, each of said units comprising a lock box, a slide horizontally disposed and guided in said lock box to divide it into two compartments, the lower one of which is to receive coins, and coin controlled mechanism arranged upon said slide, and means carried by said casing for operating the coin controlled mechanism in each of said units.

27. In a vending machine, the combination of a box or unit havin side, front, and rear walls, one of said wal s bein movable to permit access to the interior of said box. the opposite inner faces of two of said side walls being provided with guides, a frame arranged to be inserted into and removed from said box and slidably supported on said guides, a partition carried by said frame and provided with a bearing, and a coin controlled mechanism mounted on said partition, said mechanism including a rotatable shaft mounted in said bearing and controlled by said mechanism.

28. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a coin receiving chute having a movable release member extending thereinto and arranged to be actuated by a coin passing through the chute, a device normally disposed outside of said chute between its coin receiving end and said member, and means for moving said device into said chute rearward of the coin therein required to actuate said member, whereby any coins in said chute in addition to the one actually required to effect the actuation of said release member are prevented from passing through said chute while said movable release member is being actuated.

29. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a release device for a movable member, a chute adapted to receive coins and guide them into engagement with said device, and operating means including a swingably mounted member movable into position successively to engage with and move coins in the chute past said release device to operate it and prevent more than one coin to engage with or pass by the latter during each operation of said operating means.

30. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of locking means, a coin controlled mechanism including a chute adapted to receive coins and a device in said chute arranged to be actuated by a coin while passing therethrough to release the locking element of said locking means, and a pair of elements disposed at opposite sides of said chute and arranged to move thereinto rearward of the coin required to actuate said release device to move the coin past said device and prevent additional coins from passing through the chute during the operation of said pair of elements.

31. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a locking mechanism, a coin arrester arranged to be actuated by a coin to control the operation of said mechanism, a chute adapted to receive a plurality of coins and guide them into engagement with said arrester, one after the other, an element normally arranged out of the path of the coins through said chute but movable into said chute between the coin required for each operation of said arrester and the remaining coins in the chute to engage with and move the coin on one side of said element past said arrester and to prevent the coins 011 the other side of said element from engaging with or assing by said arrester during each operation of said element.

32. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a release device arranged to control a movable member, a chute adapted to receive a plurality of coins and guide them into engagement with said release device, one after the other, and operating means including a pair of swingably mounted coin engaging members normally arranged out of the path of the coins through said chute but movable into position to engage with and move the coin therein past said device to actuate it and prevent the coins not actually required for a single actuation of said device to engage with or pass by it during each operation of said operating means. and means for controlling the swin ing movement of said coin engaging members into and out of the path of the coins through said chute.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

LAYTON M. PARKHURST.

\Vitnesses WILLIAM P. Hnnon, HUGH D. MERRIFIELD. 

